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Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow

Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow - A symbol of Russian culture and the largest stage in Europe

The visit of the Bolshoi Theatre is one of many the highlight on a trip to Moscow. In a pleasant ambience, the spectators enjoy impressive performances and the excellent acoustics. On the Schedule includes opera, ballet and concerts.

In September 2015, the Bolshoi Theater opened the 240th season. A highlight of the season 2015/2016 is the premiere of the opera Iolanta (Russian: Иоланта) in combination with a suite from the ballet Nutcracker. The reason for this is the 175th anniversary of the composer Peter I. Tchaikovsky.

Anyone wanting to experience a performance in the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow, should plan the visit in due time. Tickets are on sale three months before the respective performance. The tickets can be bought only on presentation of a valid passport, which must be presented also at the theater visit.

The program includes many classics of Russian and foreign composers.

The history of the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow

28 March 1776 is considered the birthday of the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. That day was the Empress Catherine the Great to the Russian princes Ussurow the privilege to organize demonstrations, balls and masquerades, and create a theater troupe. The first theater was located in the street and was therefore Petrowsskij Petrowsskij. It was opened on December 30, 1780. The theater had financing difficulties and changed hands several times.

1805 it was decided, following the example of St. Petersburg, to set up a theater director in Moscow. 1806 was the theater the status of the Imperial Theaters. But shortly before - in autumn 1805 - burned down the first theater building. The artists played on various private theaters until 1808 a new theater was built of wood. This theater building burnt down as Moscow in 1812 set on fire in front of the entry of the troops of Napoleon.

In the years 1820-1825 a new building was erected. The theater was named Bolshoi Petrowsskij because it was bigger than the first theater (in Russian called "Bolshoi" "great"). There was even greater, magnificent and in many ways better than the Bolshoi Theatre in St. Petersburg, then the capital of Russia. The beautiful classical theater with eight columns and the chariot of Apollo, the god of the arts, on the portico was decorated interior in red and gold tones. After Milan's La Scala, it was the best European theater of his time. The opening of the Bolshoi Petrovsky Theathers on the Theatralnaja (Theatre) Square in Moscow on January 6, 1825 has long been regarded as the birthday of the Bolshoi Theater.

At first ran at the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow Petrowsskij especially dramas. Over time, operas and ballets were included more and more in the repertoire. Among them were works by international composers such as Rossini or Verdi. But there were also Russian operas.

1825 Imperial Bolshoi Petrowsskij was opened to the music of Werstowskij and Alyabyev theater with the prologue "The Triumph of the Muses". Important for the Russian culture but were mainly productions of two operas by Mikhail Glinka: A Life for the Tsar (1842) (in the Soviet era was the opera Ivan Susanin in renamed) and Ruslan and Lyudmila (1846). The audience loved Glinka's works, and it has managed to oust the then prevailing on the Russian platforms Italian operas. Every season at the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow was traditionally opened with one of Glinka's operas.

1853 destroyed a large fire, the theater building, including costumes, decorations, rare musical instruments and the music library. Only the outer walls remained. The building was designed by architect Alberto Cavos Russian-Italian (also Albert Kawos Russian:. Aльберт Кавос) almost completely rebuilt. Alberto Cavos also built the Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg. The six-floor auditorium of the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow was the largest in the world and could accommodate almost 2,300 spectators. It was rich and lavishly decorated with chandeliers, raspberry red velvet and gold. Particular attention was paid to the acoustics. The shape of the audience hall was like a big violin. The use of materials like wood and papier-mache improved the acoustic properties of the auditorium. As for the acoustics, the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow belonged in the second half of the 19th century at the best stages in the world.

1856 opened the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow with the opera by Bellini "The Puritans". After the opening of the theater from the Italians Mirelli was hired, who brought a very good Italian troupe to Russia. The audience sat wiederbekehren easy and went with enthusiasm in the Italian imagination. The Russian troops did not receive financial support and fell into oblivion.

The real breakthrough came in the 1870s than in the Bolshoi Theatre Russian opera after another was staged: Eugene Onegin, Iolanta (Iolanta) and The Queen of Spades by Petr I. Tchaikovsky, Boris Godunov by Modest Mussorgsky, Snegurochka (Snow Maiden) by Rimsky Nikolai Korsakov, Borodin Prince Igor by Alexander and others. Talented opera singers like Leonid Sobinov and Antonina Neschdanowa conquered the hearts of the home crowd back. The ballet sparkled with outstanding dancers. Late 19th - early 20th century is considered the golden age of the Bolshoi Theater. Some opera singers and ballet dancers came from St. Petersburg to Moscow. 1899 reinforced Fyodor Chaliapin, the theater troupe.

The last performance of the Imperial Bolshoi Theatre took place on February 28 1917th But already on 13 March gave the State Bolshoi Theatre's first "free celebratory presentation". After the October Revolution in 1917 the theater was in great danger. The Soviet government was about to close the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow and destroying the building. The debate on the closure of the Bolshoi Theatre took several years and also did not stop when it was awarded the status of academic theater of theater.

From 1921 to 1938, there were several renovations in the Bolshoi Theatre. For the 200th anniversary in 1976 the establishment of the auditorium was renewed. Already in the 80s, it was clear that the theater from scratch would have to be restored. But you wanted the main theater of the Soviet Union not just close and decided first to build a branch. The so-called New Stage of the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow was opened in November 2002 with the Ballet Snegurochka by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov.

In autumn 2005 the main stage of the Bolshoi Theatre was closed for renovations. The building was in a disastrous state, had to collapse deep cracks in the walls and threatened. During the renovation, the performances were held on the new stage. The ceremonial opening of the main stage of the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow took place on 28 October 2011th The faithfully reconstructed auditorium was bursting with lush gold and rich raspberry. During the restoration, much importance has been placed on the legendary acoustics of the Bolshoi Theater to be restored. According to official figures of the comprehensive reconstruction cost 21 billion rubles (about 488 million euros).

In the course of six years continuous renovation not only the main stage, but the entire building of the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow was renovated, enlarged and modernized. For a long time the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow as one of the best stages in the world. The refurbishment of this call is to be recovered.

Visit to the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow

The Bolshoi Theatre is located in the center of Moscow, near the Red Square. The best way to reach it on foot from any of the following metro stations:1) metro station "Theatralnaya" (Russian: Театральная), exit to the Bolshoi Theater (signpost in the metro in Russian: "выход к Большому театру")2) metro station "Okhotny Ryad" (Russian: Охотный ряд), exit to Theatralnaja Ploschschad. (Sign in the metro in Russian)

clothing

A black tie is not mandatory. A well-groomed appearance is important. Jeans and sweaters are not a problem. Men in shorts must remain outside it. Clothing should be mindestes clean, neat and decent. Anyone visiting a show at the Bolshoi Theatre, should expect that some viewers will make really smart for this special event.

safety

Visitors to the Bolshoi Theater have an equipped with metal detectors security pass. Who wears a manicure set, a pocket knife or other sharp or sharp objects with you, will not let in. All auditoriums are equipped with a video surveillance system.Larger bags, umbrellas, etc. must be returned to the dressing room.

Important: Do not miss the Third Gong!

The audience is drawn to the end of the break between the game files with a gong. At the latest after the third Gong signs should be in place. Those who are late back, will have to spend the next Spielakt the top rank, even if you have tickets for the best seats.

Photo and Video

Photo and video recordings are strictly forbidden at the Bolshoi Theater. With a camera or video recorder may not enter the auditorium.

children

Day conceptions can visit children from the age of 5 years. For evening performances one may only take children who are at least 10 years old. Also for children must be purchased a ticket.

Tickets for the Bolshoi Theatre

The Bolshoi Theatre has two stages: the historic Main Stage and the New Stage. Advance ticket sales for both stages begins three months before conception.

The prices of tickets for the performances of the Bolshoi Theatre are 100-18000 rubles (about 1,4 and 245 euros).

The tickets for the Bolshoi Theatre are sold upon presentation of a valid identity card which must be presented also at the theater visit. Purchased tickets can not be returned. A return is only possible for program changes (but not in Actor change!).

Cash the Bolshoi TheatreThe Bolshoi Theater has three main funds:

1) Theater-cash in the main building of the Bolshoi TheatreAddress: Theatralnaja Place 1 (Russian: Театральная площадь)Opening times: daily 12:00 to 16:00 and from 18:00 to 20:00 clock

2) Theater checkouts at the Directorate of the Bolshoi TheatreAddress: Theaterplatz 1 (Russian: Театральная площадь, 1)The building of the Directorate is located left of the main building of the Bolshoi Theater, closer to the metro station (at the exit from the Metro station "Theatralnaya" go immediately to the left)Opening times: daily 11:00 to 15:00 and from 16:00 until 20:00 clock

3) Theater checkouts at the New StageAddress: Theatralnaja place 4/2Opening times: daily 11:00 to 14:00 and 15:00 to 19:00 clockCard Preorder email: sales@bolshoi.ruInformation telephone of the Bolshoi in Moscow Theters: +7 (495) 455-5555

Guided tours of the Bolshoi Theatre

The Bolshoi Theatre offers guided tours of the historic building. Here, visitors can learn more about the history and architecture of the Bolshoi Theater.

Duration of tour: 1 hourGroup size: 15-20 peopleMinimum visitors: 14 yearsStart of the tour: 12:10 and 12:15 clockLanguages: Russian or EnglishPrice: 500 rubles (about 6.80 euros) for a guide in Russian and 1,300 rubles (about 17.70 euros) for a guided tour in EnglishTickets you can buy on the day of entry into cash in the main building of the Bolshoi Theatre (entrance 12). The offices open at 12:00 clock.